The Museum
The Carriacou Museum was founded in 1976 and has occupied three locations in Hillsborough before settling into its present home on Paterson Street in 1989. In fact, the present building is of historical interest in its own right being an old cotton ginnery (the second oldest in the world) when it ceased operating in 1979.
We are currently accepting donations to help rebuild the museum after Hurricane Beryl destroyed it on the 1st of July, 2024. Every cent counts and is appreciated. We desire to remain the heartbeat of Carriacou and the preserver of its rich history.
The Museum has an extensive collection of Amerindian and African artifacts both on display in the museum and in a 160 square foot catalogued storage container. Also on display are documents, furniture, glassware, and pottery from colonial times.
The Museum hosts field trips as school classes from Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique visit from time to time. Distinguished guests, such as the Governor General of Grenada, and a delegation from UNESCO have also visited.
In the museum shop area, there is a nice selection of historical prints, local arts and crafts, tee shirts, books on island culture, and music CDs of the island’s many festivals.
This is one of the few privately funded museums in the Caribbean and depends on public donations, grants, and fees from its international membership.
The Delegation from UNESCO said
"It is remarkable that such a museum has arisen in such an isolated location with collections of such apparent significance".
The Caribbean Conservation Association said
"If the Caribbean were to be covered by a system of organizations following the example of the Carriacou Historical Society, the problem of the search for Caribbean Identity might soon be solved".
